Gantt Charts

We will be using Google Docs Spreadsheet to create our group Gantt charts. Gantt charts are used in project management to plot the start dates, end dates, and duration of specific project tasks, as well as who is responsible for them. Gantt charts show task overlaps, and are useful to help identify where time and resources are being used. (This Wikipedia entry provides a useful overview.)

As we will discuss in class, the interface of Google Docs Spreadsheet should be familiar, but there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is that one person in the group should create the document, and then invite other group members to collaborate through the "Share" tab. All group members can collaborate at the same time from their own computers. Changes to the document made by anyone show up as they occur. You can track and manage changes through the "Revisions" tab. The "Discuss" tab allows collaborators to chat, and it will turn orange if someone is speaking and your chat panel isn't open. You can import Excel files into Google Docs Spreadsheet, if you would prefer to work that way, but I encourage you to get some experience using Google Docs natively.

Groups' Gantt charts must be published by April 2. You can publish your document through the "Publish" tab (remember to check the "Automatically re-publish when changes are made" box). You will be provided with a URL that may be used to view the chart online. Attach that URL below in a comment by April 2. You are expected to update your Gantt chart as you work on the project. (If you have the "Automatically re-publish when changes are made" box checked in the "Publish" tab, you won't have to keep republishing your chart; changes will be updated automatically online.)

The links below may help you construct a Gantt chart:

• Woork: "Gantt Chart using Google Spreadsheets and conditional formatting"
• Lifehacker: "Create an Excel Gantt Chart with Conditional Formatting"
• Google Operating System: "Google Spreadsheets Adds Gadgets, a Directory of Features"
• YouTube: "Making a Gantt Chart with Excel"
• YouTube: "Making a Gantt Chart in Excel 2007"